Judge: State ethics panel has no jurisdiction over many Colorado cities

Colorado Politics: A Denver District Court judge has issued an injunction that puts the state’s Independent Ethics Commission on notice that it no longer has jurisdiction over the ethics rules of home-rule cities such as Denver and Colorado Springs.

On Jan. 4, Judge Edward Bronfin dismissed two ethics complaints against Glendale Mayor Mike Dunafon, including one that has been under review by the ethics commission for three years.

In January 2016, Colorado Ethics Watch filed a complaint against Dunafon. The complaint alleged that Dunafon, as a member of the Glendale City Council, voted on a development plan and special use permit for a business owned by his wife.

The vote initially deadlocked at 3-3, with Dunafon recusing himself. He later returned to the Feb. 3, 2015, meeting and broke the tie, approving the permit.

The complaint alleged Dunafon failed to disclose to the Secretary of State’s office his ties to the businesses owned by his wife.